Joshua 3: Lessons on God’s Blessings from His Parting of the Jordan River

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Introduction: Joshua Chapters 3 and 4 recount God’s parting of the River Jordan. Like His parting of the Red Sea, His blockage of the Jordan River was a sign of His power. He had the power to first deliver His people from the bondage of the Egyptians at the Red Sea. He also had the power to deliver the Promised Land to the Jews. The Jews’ twin crossings show that nothing is beyond His power. From Chapter 3, He reveals several lessons regarding His blessings.

First, from Joshua’s eagerness to invade the Promised Land before receiving word from his spies, God reveals that He does not want you to delay in seizing His blessings. He has given each person talents. He wants you to use them, not bury them. Second, from Joshua’s command for the people to follow the ark, God reveals that He wants you to follow Him at all times. Third, from Joshua’s command to treat the ark as holy by keeping 1,000 yards of space between the people and the ark, He reveals that He wants you to be holy. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within you, He wants you to be holy at all times. Fourth, through His promise to perform wonders while bringing His people into the Promised Land on the seventh day, the Sabbath, He reveals that He will bring you rest from the struggle of salvation. Yet, this rest is only possible through Christ. Fifth, from His promise to exalt His humble servant Joshua, He reveals that He will also exalt you as His servant when you humbly serve Him. Just as He lifted up the first Joshua, He lifted up the second Joshua named Jesus. Sixth, from the demonstration of His power in stopping the raging waters of the Jordan River, He reveals that He wants you to have faith in His ability to fulfill His many promises to you. This includes His promise to deliver you to the eternal Promised Land. Finally, from the dipping of the priest’s feet in the Jordan River, He reveals that you must be baptized into the living waters of Christ to be saved. He also wants you to wash yourself of the filth of this world through Christ’s blood.

1. God’s Blessings Are Available for Those Who Promptly Seize Them. Josh. 3:1.

2. God’s Blessings Are Available When You Follow Him. Josh. 3:2-3.

3. God’s Blessings Are Available Through the Holiness Offered By Christ. Josh. 3:4.

4. God’s Blessing of Eternal Rest is Available Only Through Christ. Josh. 3:5-6.

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5. God Will Exalt You When You Serve Him with Humility. Josh. 3:7-8.

Walk with Jesus and submit to His guidance for you3

6. God’s Blessings Are Available When You Have Faith in His Power. Josh. 3:9-13.

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7. God’s Blessings Are Available When You Are Baptized in Faith. Josh. 3:14-17.

God’s Hand stops the River Jordan5